Queen

Your answers are tedious evasions. They explain nothing save what you wish to conceal—your dishonour. [she turns to Gwymplane] Mountebank, I think you have ruined and frustrated the life of a most important personage in our court.

Phedro

Hold, hold. A bat has not torn a lily as you suppose, your Majesty.

Queen

No? Then what has happened, Phedro? And do drop your metaphor. We are not wise enough so late to do it justice.

Phedro

Two stars have blundered together, that is all. Her Grace the Duchess of Beaumont and His Highness Prince Ian of Vaucluse.

Prince

My brother? Here? But my brother is dead! Where can you have imagined to have seen my brother?